Chapter fourteen : Lucifer

I looked down at the girl in my arm and then at the small hands clutching onto it. When I got out of my room, Everly was still inside hers. I'd stepped out to make some calls and moved to the other side of the patio. When I was done, I made my way back to the front and I saw her standing on the steps of the jacuzzi. She was startled by my unannounced arrival and almost fell into it before I grabbed her.

"Everly," I looked down at her but her head was bent down. "Everly," I spoke again this time a bit louder and then felt her grip tighten. Okay then, if that's what it was. I leaned down, till my lips were close to her ear and whispered, "Sweetheart, it's alright I got you." I felt her jerk a little and then she straightened herself. She turned around to look at me and I saw the colour in her cheeks and man did it do something to me. "Thank you," she said softly, "Can you let go now?"

"You're holding onto me love," I nodded at her hands on my arm and she immediately dropped them. I didn't like it though, I wanted to feel her touch, but it couldn't be helped.

I sighed but before I could remove my arm, she pushed at it and jumped away like I was on fire. She turned to look at me and I saw her cheeks redden even more. Her mouth dropped opened and her eyes widened. I followed her gaze and looking down I realized the reason and smirked. Focusing back at her I just shrugged, she closed and opened her mouth like a fish but nothing came out and then she rushed inside.

I looked down at myself again and shook my head, this girl was really doing things to me. I stayed outside for another few minutes to let her calm down rather let myself cool down.

When I got inside she was already seated at the dining table, I made my to her and sat across her, not wanting to scare her. Her head was in her hands and her eyes were closed. I cleared my throat and she looked up at me. She had calmed down but her cheeks still had a tinge of pink. "Why did you run away?" I asked.

She gave me an are-you-kidding-me look and shook her head, "Because, you... your," she stammered.

I loved seeing her flustered and all confused, so I pressed, "Because my?"

She narrowed her eyes and then slammed her hands on the table and stood up, "Because it was rude."

"No, it was natural." I leaned back in my chair and smirked. I saw the colour in her cheeks darken and it went all the way to her neck. Oh how I wished the reason for her blush had been something else. I shook my head and straightened my thoughts, "Okay I'm sorry, I won't tease you anymore. Please sit down." I said trying stifle a laugh. She looked around and then at me before settling down again.

She looked everywhere but me and then the doorbell rang. I got up and went to get it. The room service rolled in their cart and settled everything on the dining table.

As I returned Everly was looking down at the table in awe and then she spoke, "Is this all only for us?" She looked up at me.

I nodded, "Hearing that little sound coming from your stomach I assumed you were quite hungry."

She looked down at her feet and then sat across from me. Without any questions we both dug in.

While mostly my eyes were trained on her, looking at what she liked and what she disliked. She wasn't a fan of greens, salads specially and went straight for the meat. But what made me grin like an idiot was that my girl had an appetite, unlike like the girls I met who only stuck to their salads and nothing more.

"What are you here for anyway?" I asked over my bite.

"You know the Mathele competition, that's what came for. It's scheduled for tomorrow." She took a sip of water.

"So that was what the money for?"

She just nodded and I wished I hadn't asked that question.

After a long silence I tried again, "You should give me your number. You know if you want any help, you could contact me."

She looked at me and seemingly debated the question, "No I don't think there'll be any need. Moreover I'd not be able to contact you anyway with my phone gone." She shrugged. I remembered what happened in the parking lot earlier that night and made a mental note to get her one the first thing in morning.

Once done she leaned back in her chair and sighed, "Oh that was delicious. I'm so full, I might as well not eat for the coming days." And then she burped, it was barely audible but I caught it. And it was fucking adorable.

"Sorry, please excuse me." She covered her mouth, embarrassed.

"That was the cutest little sound I've heard." I winked at her and I swear I saw her fight a smile.

***

It was around quarter past three when I was finally done with my work. After the dinner Everly had insisted on clearing up the table when I refused to accept any money for the dinner. She hung around in the balcony for some time and then biding me good night she went back to her room.

I picked up my laptop and headed down the hall to her room. I leaned my forehead against the door, "Good night my sweet Everly," I whispered and then made my way to my room.